Alabama's Black mayor will finally assume office after a lawsuit against the town council was resolved.

Last summer, a man of Black descent, who had been rightfully elected as mayor in a small town in Alabama, took legal action against the town's council members. He accused them of conspiring to hold an illegal election in order to reappoint the previous mayor and keep him out of office.

After much discussion and negotiation, an agreement was reached between the town and the soon-to-be mayor. This agreement would make him the first Black mayor to hold the position in the small town.

According to a report by The Associated Press, the judge has yet to approve the terms of the agreement between the newly elected mayor, Patrick Braxton, and the town of Newbern. However, the paperwork filed on June 21st has paved the way for the town's first Black mayor to take office and for a new city council to be seated, pending approval from U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose.

In an interview, Braxton, who is 57 years old, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome and stated that the community is also pleased. He believes that the town's residents are especially happy because they are now able to voice their opinions and vote.

Newbern, with a population of only 133 residents, operates under a mayor-council government. However, for the past 60 years, the town has not held any elections. In the past, it was tradition for the mayor to appoint their successor, who would then appoint the council members. This resulted in a long-standing trend of only white mayors and council members, despite the town's Black majority of 2-1, as stated in the lawsuit filed by Braxton and others.

In 2020, Braxton decided to run for mayor of Newbern and was the only candidate on the ballot. As a result, he was voted in and became the town's mayor-elect. However, when he attempted to appoint council members, he faced resistance from the previous mayor and council members.

The lawsuit against Newbern alleged that town officials had conspired to prevent the first Black mayor from fulfilling his duties and exercising his powers in his new role. They also prevented the town's first majority-Black council from being seated. According to the lawsuit, the town officials even went as far as to change the locks and deny Braxton access to town bank accounts. It was also claimed that they had planned a special election and "fraudulently reappointed themselves as the town council."

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Braxton will be able to take office as Newbern's mayor and have access to town hall. Additionally, all individuals currently holding themselves out as town officials will effectively resign and cease all responsibilities related to serving in any town position or maintaining any town property or accounts. These positions will then be filled either through appointment or a special election. It has also been agreed that the town will hold municipal elections in 2025.

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